PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has urged news portal MalaysiaNow to retract one of its articles for linking him with a PKR member who posted a “prayer” for the deaths of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and ex-PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Twitter. 

Shamsul said although the individual known as Ahmad Zaki Yamani used to serve as PKR Youth secretary when the former was PKR Youth chief, it didn’t carry any meaning in the current situation. 

“MalaysiaNow should retract its article linking me and the Prime Minister’s Office. He was the AMK secretary when I was the chief but it has nothing to do with the current situation or any official capacity.

“I have contacted Hadi’s family through his son much earlier to find out about the PAS president’s health. On behalf of the prime minister and PMO, we pray for Hadi’s speedy recovery,” he said. 

Earlier on, Anwar had urged Zaki to apologise immediately for his rude comments on Hadi and Dr Mahathir. 

Anwar, in a tweet, expressed regret over the individual’s action. 

“I regret Zaki Yamani’s rude behaviour and I ask that he apologise immediately,” he said. 

Twitter user @Zaki_Yamani_ yesterday had tweeted that he prayed for Hadi and Dr Mahathir to die. MalaysiaNow linked Zaki with Shamsul in its article. 

Shamsul added that he was on the same page as Anwar in demanding that Zaki apologise. He said sensitive matters should not be politicised.

“Zaki should be responsible for his actions,” he added.

Yesterday, Hadi’s son Khalil, in a message on his Facebook page, said his father’s health was deteriorating and asked the public to pray for his recovery. – July 2, 2023.